Attorney General Seeks Supreme Court Action Against Ben Gvir
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has informed the High Court of Justice that her attempts to negotiate with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir regarding the operations of his ministry have been unsuccessful. She noted that there are systematic and ongoing violations that often go unreported due to a lack of police response to inquiries. Baharav-Miara stated that efforts to establish clear working boundaries through policies or agreements have proven ineffective, as the Minister is not obligated to adhere to them.
She expressed concern over the detrimental effects on the professional and apolitical independence of the police, particularly during an election period, and argued that the only solution to protect democracy and the rule of law is to remove Ben Gvir from his position. In response, Ben Gvir dismissed her remarks, stating, "Gali, I don't care what you think. You'll keep trying to bring down the right-wing government, and we'll keep working - and with G-d's help, we'll win."
Earlier this week, Baharav-Miara sent a letter to the government urging ministers to exercise restraint in making significant decisions following the dissolution of the Knesset. She highlighted the risk of prioritizing narrow partisan interests over the public good and the potential for creating irreversible changes that could hinder the next elected government.
Baharav-Miara's actions have drawn scrutiny, particularly in light of her previous conduct during the dissolution of the Bennett-Lapid government in 2022. At that time, she recommended that a maritime agreement with Lebanon be brought to a Knesset vote, citing the irreversible nature of the deal. Despite her advice, the caretaker government proceeded to sign the agreement without a vote, a decision she later indicated she would defend if necessary in the Supreme Court.
The ongoing tensions between the Attorney General and the National Security Minister reflect broader concerns about governance and accountability in Israel's political landscape, particularly as the country approaches another election cycle.
